It's been a real pleasure for us to welcome pupils and staff from Pontypridd High School back to Ty-Mawr's HQ in Llangasty for two days of Heritage Skills training.

The Pupils worked with Ty-Mawr's tutors and were introduced to techniques and skills needed to successfully undertake drystone walling, lime pointing, and lime plastering.

Ty-Mawr's Technical Director, Nigel Gervis, said: "My thanks go to the Pontypridd High School pupils and staff, especially their Head of Construction, Steve Jones, as well as Rhondda Cynon Taf BC's Kimberley McKenzie for their efforts in making this course a resounding success. Their ongoing commitment to the programme is something to be admired, and we enjoy hosting the pupils and provided an inspiring environment to learn new skills."

This course is the latest in a series of events that were planned as part of the restoration project of Pontypridd's Grade-II listed lido which was given a huge boost in 2012 with a £2.3m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The open air swimming pool at Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, which closed in 1991, was restored as part of a £6.2m project. Built in 1927 in an arts and crafts style, it is the only listed lido to survive in Wales. It re-opened to the public in August 2015. 

As part of the restoration project, volunteers and young people are being offered training to help contribute to the repair the lido and assist in doing ongoing basic maintenance work. The Heritage Skills course is part of this programme, organised by RCTBC and Pontypridd High School, and delivered by Ty-Mawr Lime.

Ty-Mawr's Heritage Asset Advisor and Training Co-ordinator, Sam Hale, said: "We've been particularly impressed by how the pupils have responded to the course. It will help them to realise that they can positively contribute to saving our built heritage and it has shown them how these crafts tie in to the recent restoration project at the Lido in Ynysangharad Park."